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Download fileMulti-dimensional framework as a new way to study the management of Olympic volunteering
journal contribution
posted on 2022-03-31, 14:36 authored by Olesya NedvetskayaThis paper presents a new comprehensive framework that brings together a wide range of themes and issues pertaining to the management of Olympic volunteering lacking in the literature. It helps answer the following research question: how and for whom volunteer programmes work, in what circumstances, to what effect and over what duration. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the theoretical and practical value of combining the Volunteer Process Model (VPM) (Omoto & Snyder, 2002), Human Resource Management (HRM) Model (Cuskelly et al., 2006) and Legacy Cube (Preuss, 2007). This theoretical synergy helps unpack ‘what’ we study, while the premises of critical realist evaluation (Pawson, 2013) ‘Context + Mechanism = Outcome’ (CMO) aid in answering ‘why’ and ‘how’ we study it.
Research methods
The London 2012 Olympic Games volunteer (Games Maker or GM) programme was the primary case for this research. Data was gathered before, during and 14 months after the Games in the UK via a mixed methods approach. Survey data from volunteers was complemented with semi-structured interviews with volunteers and managers, the author’s participant observations and documentary analysis.
Results and findings
The proposed framework helped identify and evaluate the systems, mechanisms, and processes of developing and managing the GM programme. It became evident that unless key event stakeholders acknowledge the complex nature of Olympic volunteering and put adequate structures, resources and practices in place, the volunteer programmes are ineffective in managing volunteers and attaining a sustainable volunteering legacy.
Implications
This paper offers valuable insights into the organisation and management of Olympic volunteering to achieve various programme results. It answers a call for a holistic approach to the phenomenon under study and features new directions for continued academic research in this critical area.
History
Published in
European Sport Management QuarterlyPublisher
Taylor & FrancisVersion
- VoR (Version of Record)
Citation
Nedvetskaya, O. (2022) 'Multi-dimensional framework as a new way to study the management of Olympic volunteering', European Sport Management Quarterly, pp.1-26. doi: 10.1080/16184742.2022.2043922Print ISSN
1618-4742Electronic ISSN
1746-031XCardiff Met Affiliation
- Cardiff School of Sport and Health Sciences
Cardiff Met Authors
Olesya NedvetskayaCardiff Met Research Centre/Group
- Sport Management and Development
Copyright Holder
- © The Authors
Language
- en